How to Start a Horse Boarding Business: Key Tips for a First-Time Stable Owner [Guide]

Starting your own horse boarding business can be a rewarding venture, combining your passion for equines with entrepreneurship. As horse owners become more discerning about care for their horses, the demand for quality boarding facilities that cater to the diverse needs of both horses and their owners has increased.

Launching a successful boarding operation requires careful planning, a deep understanding of animal husbandry, and a keen business acumen. From choosing the right location to designing your facility and managing day-to-day operations, each step is crucial to ensure the health and happiness of the horses in your care and the satisfaction of their owners.

In this article, we explore the essential steps to start your horse boarding business, covering everything from initial concept development to setting board prices. With the right preparation and a little bit of patience, you can create a thriving boarding facility that not only supports horses but also fosters a vibrant equestrian community.

Planning an Equine Boarding Operation

Whether you are hoping to start a boarding operation at an existing facility, or building a new facility with the goal of owning a boarding business, several critical factors need to be addressed when developing your business plan.

Aspiring boarding facility owners should carefully consider the following key elements:

• Farm layout and location
• Type of operation proposed
• Amenities to be offered
• Necessary equipment

These factors can impact your farm’s budget and determine the boarding fees you’ll need to charge in order to cover costs and achieve profitability.

Location

A key first step in opening a boarding business is determining whether your proposed (or current) location is desirable. An ideal boarding location is close to a major city, allowing owners living within the city limits easy access to their horse. Longer drives may discourage some owners from boarding at your facility, as it becomes more difficult to schedule barn trips into their day.

Also consider the demand for boarding services in your area. Are there already multiple boarding facilities nearby with available stalls, or is there a shortage of open spaces? Understanding local market conditions will help you determine whether there is a strong demand for your services.

Additionally, consider if this demand is expected to shift over the next 5-10 years. Resources such as local extension offices, planning commissions, and libraries may provide valuable data on population trends, income levels, and agricultural activity, which can help you make informed decisions about future demand. ^[1]

You must also consider local zoning regulations. Some jurisdictions prohibit horse boarding facilities in certain areas or restrict animal numbers significantly. Jurisdictions may also consider boarding facilities a commercial operation, resulting in the loss of an agricultural zoning status and new tax considerations. ^[1]

Type of Boarding Operation

There are many types of boarding operations, ranging from minimal oversight by the property owner to large-scale properties with several employees. Larger operations offering a wide range of services can command a higher boarding price, however you must consider whether there is a demand for those services and whether additional employees are necessary.

The simplest type of boarding is pasture board. ^[1] With pasture board, the property owner provides: ^[1]

• Pasture space
• Water
• Shelter

These types of properties typically do not have significant facilities, such as riding arenas, available.

Larger boarding facilities may offer stall board (often called “indoor board”). This type of board typically involves the horse coming into a dedicated overnight stall, with turnout provided during the day. ^[1] Facility operators or their employees are usually responsible for moving horses in and out of stalls, cleaning the stalls, feeding the horses, and providing water. ^[1]

Self-care board is another option popular in some areas. In this type of board, owners manage their horses themselves. If stalls are offered, the owners are responsible for turning their horses in and out, cleaning the stalls, feeding, etc.

Self-care boarding offers a very hands-off approach for property owners; however, boarding prices are typically lower. Partial board is another option, where owners care for their horses on weekends, but facility owners care for the horses during the work week. ^[2]

Specialty boarding operations, such as “lay-up” board for injured or sick horses, are also common. This type of board requires intensive management by facility employees but can command a very high boarding price due to the hands-on nature of these facilities. ^[1]

Paddocks & Pastures

Having adequate paddock and pasture size is important for allowing horses to move freely and express natural behaviors. Recommendations for “stocking rates”, the number of horses per acre, range from 1.5 acres to 3 acres per horse depending on the season, weather, and quality of forage. ^[1]

Given these details, it’s important for potential facility owners to consider how many horses they wish to board at one time and ensure they have sufficient land to accommodate the anticipated herd size.

The location of paddocks and pastures on the property can have a lasting impact on maintenance costs. Ideally, you should design your property so paddocks and pastures are in locations with sufficient drainage to reduce mud. ^[3] If necessary, you may need to install drain tiles, drainage ditches, or culverts to improve water drainage. ^[3]

Finally, consider how much ongoing maintenance will be required to sustain pasture health in the long term. This may include: ^[1]

• Spreading manure and appropriate timing
• Seeding and fertilizing pastures
• Removing unsafe plants
• Performing soil tests
• Scheduling grazing rotation for all livestock on the property

It’s important to account for the cost of these maintenance practices when budgeting for your facility.

Fencing is another important consideration when designing paddocks and pastures. Property owners must consider the initial cost and the ongoing maintenance requirements of their desired fence type, such as wood or electric fencing. ^[1] In addition to the general costs of fencing, it is important to consider the potential impact of horses that may cause more wear and tear on the fence due to destructive behavior.

Amenities

Consider what type of facilities you wish to offer your clientele. The type and quality of amenities can directly impact the board price you can charge your clients.

Facility options to consider during your planning phase include: ^[3]

• Stalls, including number of stalls and size
• Specialty flooring for stalls such as rubber mats
• Wash stalls
• Grooming areas
• Tack rooms
• Riding arenas
• Jumps, obstacles, cavalettis, barrels, poles, or other training equipment
• Horse trailer parking areas
• Blanket storage

Equipment

Horse care and property maintenance require a large amount of equipment. It’s important to factor the cost of this equipment into your budget, including maintenance and replacement costs when equipment breaks or is no longer functional.

Common equipment involved in horse care includes: ^[3]

• Grain feeders or buckets
• Water buckets or automatic waterers
• Salt holders
• Saddle racks and bridle hooks
• Blanket bars or hangers
• Dry erase boards for tracking important horse details, such as feeding restrictions and schedules
• Wheelbarrows
• Muck buckets
• Pitchforks
• Shovels
• Brooms
• Water hoses
• Garbage cans

Property maintenance equipment can include: ^[3]

• Tractor or skidsteer loader
• Buckets and hay forks for heavy equipment
• Harrow or arena groomer
• Fencing materials
• Manure spreader

For heavy machinery, ensure that you factor in the cost of diesel or gasoline as part of using this equipment.

Employees

Larger operations may require employees. If you are looking into hiring employees, you must balance the cost of employee wages and worker’s compensation insurance with the value that the employee provides. ^[3] Incorporating the employee into your farm’s budget can help determine whether hiring that employee benefits your business. ^[3]

Some facilities allow boarders to “work off” their board by assisting with farm operations. Although this can be a favorable arrangement for both the property owner and the boarders, it’s important to note you are still liable for injuries the boarder incurs while they are working for you. ^[3]

Giving boarders a paycheck rather than reducing their board on their invoice helps ensure that you are protected in the event of an injury. ^[3]

Manure Management

Collection, storage, transportation, and disposal of manure are important factors on large horse facilities, particularly ones that offer stall board. ^[1] The average horse produces around 45 lb (20 kg) of manure per day and around 50 lb (25 kg) including bedding if stalled. ^[1]

These waste materials must be disposed of properly to reduce infectious disease risk and prevent contamination of water supplies.

Liability and Insurance

Horses are large, dangerous animals that are prone to injuring themselves and their handlers. A comprehensive liability and insurance plan is essential for protecting your business from potential legal claims and financial risks.

Insurance

There are three types of insurance policies recommended for boarding properties: ^[1]

• Fire and theft: Protects you from damage to your facilities by fire or theft of personal property.
• Commercial liability: Covers horse-related activities, including shows, clinics, and lessons.
• Care, custody, and control: Protects against death or injury to a horse due to negligence by yourself or one of your employees.

When applying for insurance, the insurance broker asks questions regarding the type of facilities available and what commercial activities the farm offers. ^[1] If the answer to these questions changes over time, it’s important to update your insurance broker to ensure your coverage stays intact.

Boarding Contracts

Having a boarding contract is important to protect yourself from liability. It’s recommended to have an attorney draw up your boarding contract to ensure it is legally enforceable in the event of a conflict. ^[3]

The boarding contract should cover many aspects of horse care including: ^[1][3]

• Payment options and deadlines
• Length of stay for the horse
• Specific details on the horse being boarded, including feed, notable veterinary needs, or necessary special care
• Accessible facilities for boarder use
• Decision making in the absence of the owner, including a maximum dollar amount for veterinary care
• Any vaccinations or diagnostic tests necessary before the horse moves to the farm

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Liability Waivers

Similar to boarding contracts, liability waivers should be designed by an attorney familiar with your business. These waivers protect you and your business in the event of injury or loss of a human or horse on your property.

Your insurance broker may require specific clauses in the liability waiver as part of your insurance contract, so read all insurance documents carefully. Some insurance companies also provide their own liability waivers, which should be used in lieu of your own waiver.

Safety

The safety of both horses and people on the farm is paramount. Regular maintenance of machinery, facilities, fencing, and equipment is critical to preventing injury. ^[1] Hazardous areas such as ponds or lagoons should be fenced off to prevent human or horse access. ^[1]

Fire safety is of particular concern for horse facilities and should be considered carefully. Recommendations to improve fire safety include: ^[1]

• Regular inspection of electrical wiring
• Posting “No Smoking” signs
• Having fire extinguishers easily accessible throughout the property
• Storing hay in a separate barn away from any heat or electrical sources

Setting out barn rules is another important aspect of safety. Common barn rules include: ^[3]

• No dogs allowed in the barns or riding arenas
• No smoking on the property
• Riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet
• Riders must wear footwear with a heel
• No running or yelling
• Never leave a horse unattended in the grooming areas
• Close and securely latch all gates
• Adult supervision required for young children

Making a Business Plan

Before embarking on your horse boarding endeavor, you should design a business plan to ensure the business is financially viable. This business plan can also help you secure a business loan to fund the property development.

Your business plan should include an analysis of sales and marketing, operations, and financials relevant to your proposed business. ^[4] This allows you to make informed decisions about the type of business and amenities you wish to provide.

Expenses

Horse care has numerous expenses to consider when building a farm budget. Consider the following expense categories: ^[1][2][5]

• Equipment purchase and maintenance costs, including fuel for machinery
• Employee wages
• Insurance
• Feed, including hay and grain
• Pasture maintenance costs
• Bedding
• Manure disposal
• Utilities, including electric and water
• Mortgage and property taxes
• Cost of building and maintaining facilities and fencing
• Depreciation of assets
• Professional fees such as lawyers, accountants, farriers, and veterinarians

Bear in mind that expenses can change dramatically between seasons. For example, utility bills may be higher in winter due to the need for heat in the facility or to power water heaters. ^[3]

You may also need more fuel for heavy machinery during the summer, when pasture maintenance is occurring. Factor seasonality into your budget to ensure you are not underestimating your annual expenses.

Costs may also change annually. A common example affecting the horse boarding industry is the price of hay year-to-year. During drought years, hay costs may be substantially higher than budgeted. ^[3] Compensating for these fluctuations during your budgeting is important to reduce the financial strain associated with price increases.

Setting Board Fees

Determining your monthly expenses is an important first step in setting board fees. At a minimum, your board fee should cover your expenses.

The basic steps to follow when setting your board fee are:

1. Calculate the expenses for running the farm on a day-to-day basis, without accounting for the number of horses on the property
2. Determine your individual horse care costs, such as feed, bedding, and employee time
3. Divide the farm expenses by the number of horses you wish to board, then add the daily horse care costs

This number gives you a rough idea of what your expenses per horse will be.

When setting your board costs, you must also consider the price horse owners are willing to pay for your services. Factors that affect the price of board include: ^[3]

• Availability of riding arenas or trails
• Quality or type of feed provided, e.g. round bales versus square bales, free choice or netted
• Size of paddocks and pastures
• Barn hours
• Length of turnout time for stalled horses
• Size of tack room and availability of space
• Grooming areas and wash stalls
• Trailer parking
• Heated lounge and bathrooms
• Trainers or specialists available on site
• Whether employees will give medication, wrap legs, blanket horses, hold horses for the veterinarian or farrier, etc.
• Quality of the facilities and whether they are well maintained
• Activities such as clinics, shows, or lessons offered at the facility

Compare your services to other boarding facilities in your area and their board fees. If your proposed board fee is similar to other facilities in your area with similar offerings, and your expenses are covered, then you have found a suitable boarding fee. Work that number into your budget using the number of horses you want to board to ensure that there is a suitable profit margin.

However, be prepared to adjust your board fee if you’re not attracting enough clients at your desired price point. It’s important to plan ahead and determine the minimum fee you would need to charge to maintain profitability while still offering competitive services. Understanding your financial limits will help you make informed decisions and sustain your business in varying market conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about starting a horse boarding business:

Summary

Many horse owners are curious about starting their own boarding facility to combine their passion for horses with entrepreneurship, creating a potentially rewarding career.

• A financially viable boarding business requires careful consideration of the market, demand for services, expenses, and property management
• Boarding facilities range from self-care and pasture board to large scale operations offering numerous services
• To start a boarding barn, you need to account for many different aspects, including pasture management, fencing materials, emergency protocols, manure management, feed provisions, and regular facility maintenance.
• Insurance, liability, and safety are key components to a boarding business plan that are often overlooked